Career and Education Opportunities for Community Planners in California

California has a population of 36,961,664, which has grown by 9.12% over the past 10 years. Nicknamed the "Golden State," its capital is Sacramento, though its largest city is Los Angeles.

There are currently 1,400 working community planners in California; this should grow by 14% to about 1,600 working community planners in the state by 2016. This is not quite as good as the national trend for community planners, which sees this job pool growing by about 17.8% over the next eight years. In general, community planners compile data from various sources, such as maps, reports, and field and file investigations, for use by city planner in making planning studies.

Community planners earn approximately $19 hourly or $40,330 annually on average in California. Nationally they average about $17 per hour or $35,650 per year. Incomes for community planners are the same as in the overall category of Social Science Technical in California, and the same as the overall Social Science Technical category nationally. People working as community planners can fill a number of jobs, such as: development and housing director, transportation planner, and planner.

In 2008, there were a total of 21,063,338 jobs in California. The average annual income was $43,852 in 2008, up from $43,402 the preceding year. The unemployment rate in California was 11.4% in 2009, which has grown by 4.2% since the previous year. Approximately 26.6% of California residents have college degrees, which is higher than the national average.

The top industries in California include other electronic parts merchant wholesalers, payroll services, and wineries. Notable tourist destinations include the Berenbaum Group, the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, and the African.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Community Planner

In general, community planners compile data from various sources, such as maps, reports, and field and file investigations, for use by city planner in making planning studies.

Every day, community planners are expected to be able to listen to and understand others in meetings. They need to articulate ideas and problems.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in California include:

Geographic Information Systems Analyst. Study nature and use of areas of earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.

Social Research Assistant. Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social research. May perform publication activities, laboratory analysis, or data management. Normally these individuals work under the direct supervision of a social scientist and assist in those activities which are more routine.

LOCATION INFORMATION: California

California photo by Carpaltnl

California has a population of 36,961,664, which has grown by 9.12% over the past decade. Nicknamed the "Golden State," its capital is Sacramento, though its biggest city is Los Angeles. In 2008, there were a total of 21,063,338 jobs in California. The average annual income was $43,852 in 2008, up from $43,402 in 2007. The unemployment rate in California was 11.4% in 2009, which has grown by 4.2% since the previous year. Roughly 26.6% of California residents have college degrees, which is higher than the national average.

The top industries in California include other electronic parts merchant wholesalers, payroll services, and wineries. Notable tourist destinations include the American Society of Military History & Museum, the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, and the Black Maria Art Gallery.